Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be transfused to anyone who needs blood. Types A negative and B negative can be transfused to Rh positive or negative patients.

There is also an urgent need for platelet donations. Platelets - a key clotting component of blood often needed by cancer patients, burn victims and bone marrow recipients - must be transfused within five days of donation, so it's important to have a steady supply of platelets on hand.

Friday from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. at the Lehigh Cement Company, on North Meridian Road in Mitchell;

Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. at The Cellular Connection at 1313 16th Street in Bedford;

Monday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Bedford WalMart and from 1 p.m. till 6 p.m. at the Orleans Christian Church on South Maple Street in Orleans.

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment, walk-in are also welcome.

A blood donor card or driver's license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in Indiana), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.